OUGD406 - Studio Brief 2 - Site photography

OUGD406

Studio Brief 2 - Site Photography

My project is based on the first ever films produced by Louis Le Prince. One of the very first films show cars and pedestrians crossing Leeds Bridge which is situated on lower Brigate, just after Call Lane. 

I visited the site and took photographs of the site.

The bridge is painted blue. It is past its best but would have been brightly coloured when first painted. The bridge has 6 large lights, 2 at each end and a pair in the middle. There is also the city crest in the middle of the bridge which shows a lamb with an owl on each side. The bridge also has advertisements for T.DYNE STEEL M.I.C.E on it periodically. The railings of the bridge are made up of a intricate pattern of white roses. The white rose is the emblem of Yorkshire.

The history of the bridge

Leeds bridge is a cast iron road bridge over the River Aire dates from 1870. It is Grade II listed.

A medieval bridge was built at the site of a ferry across the River Aire. It was widened in 1730 and 1760. The bridge was rebuilt in 1870-73 by W.H. Barlow to a design by T. Dyne Steel. The iron was cast by John Butler of Stanningley. The cast iron balustrade is of rings and flowers. The east side bears the arms of the Corporation of Leeds (crowned owls and fleece). The western side has the names of civic dignitaries on a plaque.

In 1875 thousands of local inhabitants crammed onto the bridge, Briggate and local streets to watch The Theatre burning down.

What I found particularly interesting about the bridge was its colour and how it contacted against the dull colours of its surroundings. I also found the pattern on the railings of the bridge interesting as they very very detailed. The name of the bridge and the abundant use of the Yorkshire rose suggests the bridge is very important to Leeds and is a landmark for the city.